Overview
- Manchester City beat Sunderland 3-0 at the Etihad to move within two points of the Premier League leaders.
- Rayan Cherki capped his start with a rabona cross that Phil Foden headed in for the third goal, drawing a standing ovation from home supporters.
- Pep Guardiola praised Cherki’s temperament and execution under pressure, remarking he had never seen Lionel Messi deliver a cross like that while stressing the importance of simple actions.
- The manager coupled the plaudits with a warning that work rate and reliability must underpin the 22-year-old’s attacking talent to secure sustained minutes.
- Recent reports highlight Cherki’s hot streak, including five goals in three games, and suggest he could push for more regular starts, which remains a developing possibility rather than a certainty.